Baldy’s Blog Shows the Therapeutic Value of Blogging.
A recent Scientific American article – Blogging — It’s Good for You - looks at a study published earlier this year in Onocologist that “…reports that cancer patients who engaged in expressive writing just before treatment felt markedly better, mentally and physically, as compared with patients who did not.” Truth is, this is not a new finding. Scientists have known for years about the therapeutic value people derive from writing about personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
But blogging is a new frontier and scientists are curious as to how engaging in this medium might help those suffering from live threatening disease such as cancer.
Maybe they should ask British blogger Adrian Sudbury who started Baldy’s Blog eighteen months ago right after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. The blog is a study in human resilience and dignity as Adrian shares his newly shattered world with us. From the initial diagnosis to dealing with chemotherapy and then finally deciding not to seek further treatment, Adrian writes with honesty, emotion, sadness, and humor.
Adrian was recently told by doctors that he might only have months or weeks left but he is determined to spend this time helping others have a chance at life. How? By educating people about bone marrow donation and by lobbying the British government to create better information campaigns to encourage donors.
In his blog, Adrian wrote…
I have one last little mission before I die.
I’m determined to try and educate more people about what it is like to be a bone marrow donor.
There are still 7,000 people – children and adults in the UK alone – who are waiting to find a match.
Without your help they have no hope.
At least I was given a chance.
